rofessor Jordan took the knife, got up close to the plate, gave it a
toss, and plunk! It flew over the plate and went straight to the
ceiling! And stuck!

"Well, thank goodness, we know it's the present combination of voltage
and frequency, and not a series of changes," Jim said, relieved.

"Yes, and size and shape apparently have little to do with it too,"
the professor answered. "Now all we have to do is find out why. That's
our problem."

"And how long it lasts too," said Jim, glancing up at me. Then turning
to the professor; "Sir, I've been wondering what you think of the idea
that maybe these plates change the electrical charge of whatever
object is placed on them, or over them."

"I had that thought too, Jim, when I found out we couldn't turn that
plate off. Any ideas how we might go about grounding or dissipating
the charge?"

"Or getting me down from here? I don't know if you or Jim realize it,
but old Mother Nature is going to make things rather uncomfortable for
me pretty soon. I've been up here for almost eight hours already, and
I'm getting a bit uneasy, to say the least."

For the first time the professor's eyes crinkled a bit at the corners,
and looking up at me, he chuckled, "Mr. Wilson, you've brought up a
rather touchy subject, and we'll hurry as fast as we can."

* * * * *

Mary came in then with some more sandwiches and coffee, and I went
through the same routine with the straw, only this time I got choked.
Thank Heaven I did! That sounds funny, but while I was coughing and
sputtering, spewing coffee all over the place, Jim had walked over so
that he was right under me. He stood for a moment watching me
sputter, then let out a whoop and hollered.

"Hey! Dad! Professor! Mom! I've got it! I've got it." He paused a
second, then, "I hope...."

I was still sputtering, but Mary and Professor Jordan both grabbed him
and started asking questions.... "What are you talking about? What's
your idea?"

"Professor, did you see what happened to the coffee?"

"Your father got choked, why?"

"When he sputtered, did you see what happened? The coffee went _up_!"

"Well, yes, it did. But I don't see.... By jove! Wait a minute! I see
what you're driving at!" And turning to Mary, the professor added,
"Mrs. Wilson, do you have a garden hose long enough to reach into this
room?"

Mary was shocked. I was still listening between sputters.

"Why, yes, we have. What are you goi